Mike Kirby, Graphics Production Maven, Dead at 58

Celebration of Life to be held on March 14 in Orlando

Mike Kirby, five-time Emmy Award-winning graphics producer who over the years worked for Fox Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, HBO, Winnercom, and others, has died of a heart attack at the age of 58. He is survived by his mother, Bernie, and his sister, Sheryl.

Mike Kirby

He most recently did work for Fox Sports coverage of college football games, ESPN REMI productions out of Orlando, and Golf Channel. His career began in the 1980s, when he worked on ESPN golf events, and he worked for Fox Sports on its NFL coverage after the network won the rights in 1994. He also worked for HBO Boxing and on HBO’s coverage of Wimbledon. The Olympics were also on his accomplishment list: he worked on the Games from Seoul 1988 through Atlanta 1996.

“Having Mike in the truck was always comforting and seeing his name on the crew sheet meant we had a leader to guide the graphics team,” says Steve Beim, who  was the director on countless productions with Kirby. “In addition to being a true professional, he was equally good at being a friend. There was nothing false about his smile.”

A celebration of Kirby’s life will be held on Tuesday March 14 at 5 p.m. at The Vines, located at 7533 West Sand Lake Rd., Orlando. All are welcome to attend and celebrate his life. For more details or to reach out to his family, contact Joe Lyons at 918-671-0889.